Latch for ground shield of an electrical connector

• US 6,592,405 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2002
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Hasircoglu, Alexander William
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUSHI, ROSS N
• Application Number:
  US10/043,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20030129876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 439/607-610
• US Class Current: 439/607.54
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/716 Coupling device provided on the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6582 with resilient means for engaging mating connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6594 the shield being mounted on a PCB and connected to conductive members

Abstract

A latch assembly is provided for latching a ground shield around an electrical connector. The latch assembly comprises a latch receptacle portion and a latch insert portion. The latch receptacle portion comprises a receptacle main body, and a strap that is offset from the receptacle main body. The strap defines a slot between the strap and the receptacle main body. The latch receptacle portion also includes a window that is formed within the receptacle main body. The latch insert portion comprises a latch insert portion having an insert main body and a tongue, which is offset from the plane of the main body, with a latching projection formed on, and extending from, one side of the tongue. The strap exerts a normal, uniform force on the tongue thereby biasing the latching projection into the window. Consequently, the latch assembly remains fully engaged because of the force exerted on the tongue by the strap. A method is also provided for manufacturing a ground shield for an electrical connector. The method comprises the steps of stamping the latch receptacle portion from a first end of a stock material and stamping the latch insert portion from a second end of the stock material. The method also includes the steps of forming a latching projection extending outward from the tongue and offsetting a strap from the latch receptacle portion to form a slot between the window in the main body of the latch receptacle portion.

Claims

1. A system for securing a ground shield around an electrical connector, said system comprising:

an electrical connector; and

a unitary ground shield folded around portions of said electrical connector, said ground shield comprising a rear wall having a folded portion along an edge of said rear wall, said folded portion having a first end, said ground shield having a side wall with a second end, said ground shield including a latch assembly latching said first and second ends of said ground shield together such that said side wall and said folded portion are joined in a common plane, said latch assembly comprising a latch receptacle portion formed on said first end of said folded portion, said latch receptacle portion comprising a strap arranged in a plane parallel to said common plane and spaced apart from said common plane by a slot, said latch assembly further comprising a latch insert portion formed on said second end of said side wall, said latch insert portion comprising a tongue with a latching member thereon offset from said common plane.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said latch receptacle portion includes a clearance bridge, and wherein said tongue is received by said slot and deflected as said tongue traverses said clearance bridge before said latching member is biased into an engaged position with said receptacle main body.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said latch receptacle portion includes a clearance bridge, and wherein said tongue is received by said slot and said strap is deflected as said tongue traverses said clearance bridge before said latching member is biased into an engaged position with said receptacle main body.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said strap and said receptacle main body sandwich said tongue therebetween.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said latching member includes a semi-spherical protrusion configured to pass through said slot.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said latching member is fixedly formed on said tongue.

7. A method of manufacturing a ground shield for an electrical connector, said method comprising:

folding a ground shield to form a side wall and a rear wall, the rear wall having a flange extending along an edge of the rear wall;

stamping a latch receptacle portion, having a receptacle main body, a window and a strap, from an end of the flange;

stamping a latch insert portion, having an insert main body and a tongue, from an end of the side wall;

forming a latching projection fixedly on, and extending outward from, the tongue;

offsetting the strap and tongue from planes defined by the receptacle and latch main bodies, respectively, such that the receptacle and latch main bodies, when joined, are aligned in a common plane and the strap and tongue are offset from the common plane.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising folding the ground shield over an electrical connector.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising sandwiching the tongue between the strap and the receptacle main body.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising fully engaging the latch receptacle portion with the latch insert portion by inserting the tongue into the slot;

exerting a normal force on the tongue with the strap; and

biasing the tongue into an engaged position with the receptacle main body.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising forming said latching projection as a semi-spherical protrusion on said tongue.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising from said latching projection with a rounded base configured to pass through the slot.